Should I Use a PC or Lighting Console or Board for my Stage Lighting?

[@mikey38632]

At 2:11 I've paused, and my answer to the question is: "It depends on how many faders you need to access and move at once, and whether those moves will be planned or if you will be winging it live." Of course, it depends on many things, but sometimes you can't program macros for this and that, and you'll get stuck. I feel the same way about mixing audio on digital mixers. I hate how it took away all the knobs, faders, and buttons, or how a few knobs/faders/buttons can control different things based upon the page you're on. These are casualties in the switch to digital interface and control. You can no longer emergency react without taking potentially a few steps first to get to where the problem is.

[@LearnStageLighting]

Yes - though - a counterpoint/added note from someone who learned on "conventional" light consoles and later learned modern pro-grade consoles - With lighting, the technology has increased the amount of things we can control and we'd never have enough faders if we tried to have 1 fader for every attribute of every light we are controlling. It would easily be thousands of faders on shows that aren't that big! So, it's all about how you lay it out and optimize for your playback. But yes, I am the biggest proponent of having a LOT of faders and playback buttons when possible!

[@mikey38632]

@@LearnStageLighting That is very true and a great point about "all the channels of fixtures" - I guess this is why it is great to have programmable control surfaces / MIDI boards and such. Being able to assign a parameter to a control is key. I am the same way, except coming from channel strips on analog audio equipment.

[@mikey38632]

And, I love the programmability / macros options you can get on a simple button.

[@papadenz2022]

i'm a fan of a PC based console. the cons that i encounter is i don't have a touchscreen or external midi controller. my option is to buy a midi controller and map it with my pc console. my pros is i can have a multiple pc running the lighting console, same set-up and have their files synced, use the same file show and use multiple pc on a venue. David is right, it depends on what you run, small or big events. if you are the owner/operator or a on-call lighting guy. choose what is best for your needs.

[@bekkerthesokuangeldragon68]

I use Freestyler and i think it's good for me since i don't wanna spend money on a decent good in person console. I use my computers with the Freestyler software and i think it works really good for me and also this video is definitely helpful!

[@paulchixherbst6679]

What interphase do you use?

[@spadz93]

Should probably also touch upon whether you're a mobile guy or not. I follow a wedding band around that utilizes a mobile rig with about 25 fixtures. I took it upon myself to turn a mixer combo rack case into a mobile lighting onPC/Onyx console using a mix of a laptop in conjunction with either an NX Touch or a Midicon 2 (I bounce between Onyx and ma2 onPC). I would personally sooner reach for an nx1 or nx2 for simplicity and cost's sake, just since it's less connections and less setup time. Just wanted to contribute that in the event someone was watching and were coming from a similar position

[@GaricsPeter]

PC is the way to go: - cheaper - you can use the PC for other stuff - multiple software options - customization - a broken hardware panel is just paperweight a while a PC is repairable

[@rufaiajala]

Thank you for this. I am currently in this position/decision process. Your video has cleared some things up for me 🙏🏾

[@rufaiajala]

I'm thinking of trying to with a laptop (iPad) running Blackout app. It's like LightKey

[@FernandoQuevedo]

Excellent advice!

[@robneal6476]

Good explanation David. Personally, I think using a PC rather than paying for dedicated electronics is the way to go, along with a physical control surface like the NX wing. I am interested in the possibilities of a touch screen over just a mouse. Do they offer that much more flexibility if you also have a control surface?

[@LearnStageLighting]

Hi Rob, More than anything else, a touchscreen gives you SPEED over just a mouse.

[@newellslab]

fun fact: alot of lighting consoles are just small pcs with a built in dmx converter and a special keyboard on the top

[@TinoSchulz1990]

Exactly my thought. GrandMA2 and 3's price is not justified for the hardware they put in.

[@bastothemax]

Do you recommend using 3-pin DMX or 5-pin DMX?

[@LearnStageLighting]

Yes. All DMX is technically 3 pin DMX, they are the same.

[@renegade1283]

ok what about using an android tablet? Thoughts on suitability, apps, setup, etc. Thankyou

[@gregsmith4406]

Very interesting. Thanks. Question: are there any products that would allow me to build a light show on a PC, download to a smaller module and connect that module to my lights at the gig? I don’t have an extra person available to run a light show. I want to “set it and forget it”. Thanks.

[@thesashboyno1]

I use touchscreen Laptop and Nx touch :)

[@gilbertaustria5380]

Where to buy dmxis? I'm here in the Philippines. Thanks

[@papadenz2022]

hi paps, how can i help you? im also from philippines.

[@LearnStageLighting]

Send ENTTEC an email and find out! www.enttec.com.au

[@robneal6476]

Be aware DMXIS does NOT work with Onyx.

[@williamwright2208]

My school uses a Pc for lighting and the lights are run off a software called Lighting Factory

[@oscarpierson6892]

What software would you recommend for a school running incandescents led pars, and sometimes moving heads? (Somthing under $50)

[@jimostrosky6196]

We use a laptop with QLC+ and the ENTTEC USB converter. Works really well, but it's taken me several years to figure out a way to use QLC+ in a consistent way for our school musicals. I played sound effects cues with that same software this year.

[@spycraft6934]

Him: You can't mess these consoles up. Me: *grabs hammer* Ya sure?

[@jakecobaine4767]

Tp

[@noahbeaners930]

Nowadays, consoles are basically just glorified PCs, with the exeptition of those crappy dj ones

[@LearnStageLighting]

Yes and no. It can be a little more nuanced than that, because they often use the commercial-grade Windows that is customized to ONLY have the specific drivers and software that they need, they tend to be more reliable over the long term than the average PC.

[@MichaelMcKee-m5d]

Really?

[@denbro5543]

takes so long to get an answer

[@LearnStageLighting]

What takes so long? Keep in mind that this is a free channel, and it takes a lot of time and resources to create this stuff, which you get for free. Consider joining Learn Stage Lighting Labs for personalized feedback and help: www.lp.learnstagelighting.com/learn-stage-lighting-labs/

[@DTPGMedia585]

@@LearnStageLighting Does he look in the desc for time stamps and a clearly marked wrap up